Common Name: flowering crabapple
Type: Tree
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 15.00 to 20.00 feet
Spread: 15.00 to 20.00 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Flowering Tree
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy, Edible
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Air Pollution
Culture
Best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils. Established trees have some drought tolerance. Although some flowers may be lost, it is best to prune this tree as needed in late winter. Spring pruning should be avoided as it produces fresh, open cuts where fireblight bacterium can enter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Malus is a genus of about 35 species of deciduous trees and shrubs from Europe, Asia and North America.
Genus name from Latin is an ancient name for apple.
‘Ellen Gerhart’ is an upright-spreading, medium-sized, pink-flowered crabapple tree that typically matures to 15-20’ tall and as wide. Ovate deep green leaves (to 3” long) emerge in spring. Single (sometimes semi-double), fragrant flowers open pale pink in spring (April in St. Louis). Flowers are attractive to bees. Flowers are followed by glossy bright red crabapples (to 3/ 8” diameter) that mature in fall and persist into winter. Each crabapple has a distinctive, cone-like, rusty calyx scar. Birds are attracted to the fruit. Fruits may be harvested for making preserves. Leaves turn yellow-green with orange tints in fall. Parents are M. x zumi var. calocarpa x M. 'Van Eseltine'. Simpson Orchard Company Nursery 1955.
Problems
The main diseases of crabapple are scab, fire blight, rusts, leaf spot and powdery mildew. Potential insect pests are of lesser concern and include tent caterpillars, aphids, Japanese beetles, borers and scale. Spider mites may occur.
‘Ellen Gerhart’ is very susceptible to apple scab. Generally good disease resistance to the other main diseases of crabapples.
Uses
Plant as a specimen/accent or in small groups. General landscape use.
Street tree.